Our vision
Our vision for reconciliation is that we all benefit from a reconciled Australia, where we value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and perspectives.
We recognise our shared history and we are committed to creating and sustaining positive relationships as a united country.
How we advance reconciliation
As a leading government agency known for our contemporary service, expertise and integrity, we provide:
- culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
- cultural competency training for all staff
- equal employment opportunities at all levels
- improved economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by
- tailoring services to our clients’ needs
- sourcing goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers.
The actions outlined in our RAP will help us to achieve this vision. We have broad responsibilities to enhance the economic and social wellbeing of the nation. This provides us with avenues to advance reconciliation through:
- supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients to participate in the tax, superannuation and registry systems
- employing staff that represent the community we serve
- working with diverse suppliers.
Reconciliation involves shared effort, with non-Indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples working together for a common goal.
Our contribution to Closing the Gap
As an Australian Government agency, we contribute to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. We shape our work to deliver against the priority reforms (PRs) and socio-economic targets (STs). The National Agreement provides focus areas for us to invest time and resources for tangible change.
These are to:
- establish and maintain formal partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations
- support the community-controlled sector
- transform our organisation to ensure
- a culturally safe workplace
- improved engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients
- improve the management of available data and information to inform shared decision making, while meeting privacy requirements.
Five dimensions of reconciliation
Reconciliation Australia’s vision for reconciliation is based on 5 interrelated dimensions of reconciliation: historical acceptance, race relations, institutional integrity, equality and equity, and unity. We consider all of these dimensions as we progress towards reconciliation.
Our alignment to Closing the Gap and the dimensions of reconciliation
Our RAP outlines how our deliverables relate to the National Agreement and support the dimensions of reconciliation by noting any relevant priority reform (for example, PR1), socio-economic target (for example, ST16) and dimensions of reconciliation they align to. Transforming our organisation relies on our non-Indigenous staff working side by side with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff as allies and using the RAP as a guide to progress towards equity.
Priority reforms
The priority reforms are:
- Priority Reform 1 – formal partnerships and shared decision making.
- Priority Reform 2 – building the community-controlled sector.
- Priority Reform 3 – transforming government organisations.
- Priority Reform 4 – shared access to data and information at a regional level.
Socio-economic targets
The 17 Closing the Gap socio-economic targets aim to improve the following outcome areas: health and wellbeing, education, employment, justice, safety, housing, land and waters, languages and digital inclusion.